Method for managing multimedia files

ABSTRACT

A method for managing multimedia files includes an operating step whereby at least one playback management object of one or several multimedia files is generated, said playback management object including at least one playback parameter of multimedia files, said operating step whereby at least one playback management object is generated including at least an operating step whereby said at least one playback parameter of multimedia files is generated. The method also comprises an operating step whereby at least one link between said playback management object and at least a first multimedia file is generated, the operating step whereby said at least one playback management object and/or said link are stored in a memory and an operating step whereby at least a first multimedia file or a plurality of multimedia files are played, as a function of said at least one playback parameter of said playback management object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 U.S. National Phase Application of and claimsthe benefit of priority to International Application Serial No.PCT/IB2015/059622, filed Dec. 15, 2015, which claims the benefit ofpriority to Italian Application Serial No. MI2014A002157, filed Dec. 16,2014 and Italian Application Serial No. 102015902344341, filed Apr. 15,2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The concepts herein encompass a method and a processor software formanaging multimedia files. Other concepts herein also encompass a methodand a software for managing the playback of multimedia files. Theconcepts herein also concern a system capable of managing the playbackof multimedia files.

Software are known for managing multimedia files, for instance softwarefor managing audio and video files. The known software make it possibleto manage the playback of the files, for instance through the creationof playlists. Some known software make also it possible to assign labels(or tags) to one or several files with the purpose of classifying thefiles, grouping the files themselves, or making it possible to searchfor the audio files via that tag or label assigned thereto. Concerningaudio file management, an example of a known software which makes itpossible to assign tags to the files is represented by MediaMonkey™software. Mediamonkey™ is a software which makes it possible to managemusic libraries, to search for audio files within such music libraries,and to create playlists. Mediamonkey™ also makes it possible for users,by preset fields, to enter a plurality of information items in eachindividual audio file, including: author, record company, year, time orrhythm (slow, fast, etc.), album, user comment, song text, bpm, musicgenre, and others. Operationally wise, upon loading the files in thesoftware, Mediamonkey™ usually recognizes and fills-in some of saidfields automatically. As already said before, among the many featuresoffered, Mediamonkey™ makes it possible to associate one or severalterms or tags with one and the same file; the purpose of such terms isto characterize the files that they are associated with and on the basisof such terms it is also possible to search for the files in the musiclibraries. However, a drawback consists in that, usually, a search madeon the basis of such terms identifies not only the audio filesassociated with these terms, but also those audio files which containsuch terms in the remaining preset fields. Mediamonkey™ also makes itpossible to set some fields customized by a user and it is then possibleto also make searches in all fields available or, in order to preventundesired results, in the customized fields only.

Furthermore, such software, likewise other known software, does notprovide users with the possibility of further customizing their audiofile management and playing experience. Software are known which allowfor a user to select a start audio track or a type of audio track, playthe track itself and subsequently, before the selected track ends beingplayed, automatically propose or select one or several audio tracks forbeing played after the selected one, without any possibility (or with aminimum possibility) for a user to interact. Such audio tracks areautomatically proposed or selected by the software on the basis ofpredetermined grouping or affinity or similarity criteria with the trackselected by the user (for instance in terms of music genre, artist,etc.). Software are also known which make it possible for users torealize customized playing lists, the users themselves selecting thespecific attributes of the files to be put in such lists. FinallyInternet sites are known which offer already classified multimediacontents and make it possible for registered users to provide a feedbackto the site administrators about some characteristics of said multimediafiles.

However, such software do not allow a playback management that isoptimal and in line with the users' needs or sensibility.

SUMMARY

In the light of the above considerations, a main object is to solve oneor several of the problems encountered in the known art.

The concepts herein encompass optimizing the management of multimediafile playback.

The concepts herein encompass a rational and logical multimedia fileplayback management method.

The concepts herein encompass a processor software and a method capableof managing the playback of multimedia files in a simple andcustomizable way and to consequently improve the playing experience forusers.

The concepts herein encompass a system capable of optimizing multimediafile playback management.

The concepts herein encompass a processor software capable of managingthe playback of multimedia files in a simple and efficient way.

The concepts herein encompass putting users in a position to customizetheir own multimedia file playing experience to a greater extent.

The concepts herein encompass enabling users to save the customizedplaying experience. The concepts herein encompass enabling users toshare their customized playing experiences.

These objects and others, which will be more apparent from the followingdescription, are basically achieved by a multimedia management methodand by a processor software in accordance with the information containedin one or several of the attached claims and/or of the followingaspects, taken alone or in any combinations with each other or incombination with any of the attached claims and/or in combination withany of the further aspects or features described below.

In one aspect, a method is provided for managing the playback ofmultimedia files comprising at least the following operating steps:

-   -   generating at least one object for managing the playback of one        or several multimedia files, said playback management object        comprising at least one multimedia file playback parameter, said        operating step whereby at least one playback management object        is generated comprising at least an operating step whereby said        at least one multimedia file playback parameter is generated;    -   generating at least one link between said playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   storing said at least one playback management object and/or said        link in a memory.

In one aspect, said one or several multimedia file playback managementobject also comprises one identification element and said operating stepwhereby at least one playback management object is generated alsocomprises an operating step whereby said identification element isgenerated.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby at least afirst multimedia file or a plurality of multimedia files is played, as afunction of said at least one playback parameter of said playbackmanagement object, or as a function of a plurality of playbackparameters of a corresponding plurality of playback management objects.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby one orseveral multimedia files are played as a function of said at least oneplayback parameter of said playback management object in accordance withone or several semi-random playback modes comprising both randomplayback settings and non-random playback settings and/or configurableplayback settings and/or playback settings correlated to said playbackparameter or to a plurality of said playback parameters.

In one aspect, said playback management object is configured to play,for instance via one or several of said links, a plurality of multimediafiles in accordance with one or several semi-random playback modescomprising both random playback settings and non-random playbacksettings and/or configurable playback settings and/or playback settingscorrelated to said playback parameter or to a plurality of playbackparameters.

In one aspect, said at least one playback management object isconfigured, by setting an appropriate playback parameter, to manage aconfigurable multimedia file playback sequence.

In one aspect, said at least one playback management object isconfigured to set a correlation in a playback order between two orseveral multimedia files in a semi-random multimedia file playbacksequence.

In one aspect, said at least one playback management object isconfigured to inhibit the playback of given multimedia files within amultimedia file playback sequence or within a semi-random multimediafile playback sequence.

In one aspect, said playback management object is a grouping objectconfigured to manage the playback of a plurality of multimedia files.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby at leastone playback counter of one or several multimedia files linked to saidplayback management object is defined, said playback counter beingconfigured to be automatically updated following an integral or partialplayback of the multimedia file within a semi-random playback sequence,to take account of such playback having been performed.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby saidplayback counter of one or several multimedia files linked to saidplayback management object is queried in order to check whether amultimedia file has already been played a predetermined number of times.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby theplayback of one or several multimedia files within a semi-randomplayback mode in a way correlated to the result of said query relevantto the value assumed by said playback counter, is played or temporarilyinhibited.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby saidplayback counter is automatically updated in the case that a multimediafile has been played for at least a given limit playback time, forinstance for at least a time equal to half of its playback duration.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby saidplayback counter is left unchanged in the case that a multimedia filehas been played for a time shorter than a given playback limit time, forinstance for a time shorter than half of its playback duration.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object of one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a grouping object configured tomanage the playback of a plurality of multimedia files is generated,preferably by link objects each of which is linked to a respectivemultimedia file.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object of one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby one or several grouping objects andat least one thematic grouping are generated, said grouping objectsbeing linked to a plurality of multimedia files, said at least onethematic grouping being configured to manage a playback sequence of thegrouping objects and of the multimedia files linked thereto.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object of one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a category object configured tomanage a plurality of thematic groupings is also generated, saidcategory object being configured to manage a playback sequence ofthematic groupings and of the multimedia files linked thereto.

In one aspect, each link comprises a link object to manage the playbackof one or several multimedia files, each playback management link objectcomprising at least one auxiliary identification element and at leastone auxiliary multimedia file playback parameter, said operating stepwhereby at least one link between said playback management object and atleast a first multimedia file is generated also comprising an operatingstep whereby said link object is generated, an operating step whereby atleast said auxiliary identification element is generated, and anoperating step whereby at least said auxiliary multimedia file playbackparameter is generated.

In one aspect, a method is provided for managing the playback ofmultimedia files comprising at least the following operating steps:

-   -   generating at least one object for managing the playback of one        or several multimedia files, said playback management object        comprising at least one multimedia file playback parameter, said        operating step whereby at least one playback management object        is generated comprising at least an operating step whereby said        at least one multimedia file playback parameter is generated;    -   generating at least one link between said playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   storing said at least one playback management object and/or said        link in a memory;    -   generating a visualization and/or management interface, for        instance a graphical visualization and/or management interface,        of a plurality of playback management objects, the visualization        being preferably correlated to at least one playback structure        or mode of said plurality of playback management objects.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby a visualization and/ormanagement interface is generated comprises an operating step whereby atree or a diagram or a schematization correlated to a playback structureor mode of said plurality of playback management objects is generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object of one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby one or several grouping objects andat least one thematic grouping are generated, said grouping objectsbeing linked to a plurality of multimedia files, said at least onethematic grouping being configured to manage a playback sequence of thegrouping objects and of the multimedia files linked thereto, theoperating step whereby a visualization and/or management interface isgenerated comprising an operating step whereby a tree or a diagram or anindicative schematization of the links between grouping objects and/orthematic groupings and/or multimedia files is generated.

In one aspect, the method comprises the following operating steps:

-   -   updating at least one playback counter of one or several        multimedia files linked to said playback management object, said        playback counter being configured to be automatically updated        following an integral or partial playback of multimedia files        within a semi-random playback sequence, to take account of such        playback having been made, the value assumed by the playback        counter being stored in the remote memory;    -   transferring from a remote memory to a local memory of a device,        in particular a mobile device, and/or from a local memory of a        device, in particular a mobile device, to a remote memory, the        multimedia files featuring a given value of the playback        counter, the transfer of the multimedia files from the local        memory of the device to the remote memory freeing filing space        in the device.

In one aspect, the method comprises the following operating steps:

-   -   playing in a first device, for instance a processor, one or        several multimedia files in a given sequential playback mode,        for instance a semi-random playback sequence, as a function of        said playback management object and of said at least one said        object playback parameter up to a playback stop time;    -   synchronizing the first device and a second mobile device, for        instance a laptop or a tablet or a smartphone, to a remote        memory on the basis of the value assumed by said playback        counter for one or several multimedia files;    -   resuming the playing, on the second device and at a time        following a playback stop time, of the given stopped playback        sequential mode.

In one aspect, in order to increase or decrease a multimedia file or aplayback management object playback frequency, it is envisaged toincrease or decrease the number of times a multimedia file is playedwithin one or several semi-random playback sequences.

In one aspect, the category object is a playback management object.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object of one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby at least one category object isgenerated.

In one aspect, the category object comprises an identification elementand/or at least one playback parameter.

In one aspect, a method is provided for managing multimedia filescomprising an operating step whereby at least one playback managementobject of one or several multimedia files is generated.

In one aspect, generating a playback management object for one orseveral multimedia files comprises generating, for instance byappropriate controls imparted to a dedicated processor software, adialogue interface comprising fields for setting and/or modifyingmultimedia file playback parameters.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby at least one link object isgenerated.

In one aspect, the link object is a playback management object for oneor several multimedia files.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby at least one grouping object isgenerated.

In one aspect, the grouping object is a playback management object forone or several multimedia files.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby at least one thematic grouping isgenerated.

In one aspect, the thematic grouping is a playback management object forone or several multimedia files.

In one aspect, the playback management object comprises oneidentification element and at least one multimedia file playbackparameter.

In one aspect, the identification element is assigned by default.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby the identification element isgenerated and an operating step whereby at least one multimedia fileplayback parameter is generated.

In one aspect, each link object is linked to a multimedia file and to agrouping object, is configured to manage the playback of the multimediafile that it is linked to, and comprises an identification element and aplurality of multimedia file playback parameters, the identificationelement and the playback parameters being attributes of the link object.

In one aspect, each grouping object is linked to a plurality ofmultimedia files, is configured to manage the playback of the multimediafiles that it is linked to, and comprises an identification element anda plurality of multimedia file playback parameters, the identificationelement and the playback parameters being attributes of the groupingobject. In one aspect, the link between grouping objects and theplurality of multimedia files is implemented by, or comprises, acorresponding plurality of link objects.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby at leastone link between the playback management object and at least a firstmultimedia file is generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link is generatedbetween a playback management object and at least a first multimediafile is substantially concomitant with the operating step whereby atleast one playback management object for one or several multimedia filesis generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link is generatedbetween the playback management object and at least a first multimediafile follows the operating step whereby at least one playback managementobject for one or several multimedia files is generated.

In one aspect, the playback management object is a grouping objectconfigured to manage the playback of a plurality of multimedia files andthe link consists of, or comprises, a link object.

In one aspect, the grouping object is linked to a plurality ofmultimedia files via a corresponding plurality of link objects.

In one aspect, each link object links one individual multimedia file toa grouping object.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby at leastthe playback management object and/or the link is/are stored in amemory.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link between saidplayback management object and at least a first multimedia file isgenerated takes place following the operating step whereby said at leastone playback management object is stored.

In one aspect, the playback management object comprises a plurality ofmultimedia file playback parameters.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object is generated comprises an operating step whereby aplurality of multimedia file playback parameters is generated.

In one aspect, the method comprises operating steps whereby a previouslygenerated playback management object is edited, the previously generatedmultimedia file playback parameters are edited, for instance byassigning a value thereto or by modifying their values, and the editedplayback management object and the edited multimedia file playbackparameters are stored in a memory.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of playback managementobjects is generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of link objects isgenerated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of grouping objects isgenerated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of thematic groupings isgenerated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link between theplayback management object and at least a first multimedia file isgenerated comprises an operating step whereby a plurality of linksbetween the grouping object and a corresponding plurality of multimediafiles is generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least the playbackmanagement object and/or the link is/are stored in a memory comprises anoperating step whereby a plurality of playback management objects and/ora plurality of links is/are stored in a memory.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby one orseveral multimedia files is/are played as a function of one or severalplayback management objects and of at least one playback parameter ofsaid object.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link between theplayback management object and at least a first multimedia file isgenerated comprises an operating step whereby a plurality of linkobjects is generated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby a grouping object is generatedis performed before the operating step whereby a plurality of linkobjects is generated.

In one aspect, the grouping object comprises a plurality of multimediafiles playback parameters, the operating step whereby the groupingobject for the link objects is generated also comprises an operatingstep whereby the plurality of multimedia file playback parameters isgenerated.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby a groupingobject and/or a plurality of link objects linked to the grouping objectis/are stored in a memory.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby aplurality of grouping links between the grouping object and the linkobjects is generated.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby a playlistor list of playback of a plurality of link objects is generated and/orplayed.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby a playlistor list of playback of a plurality of grouping objects is generatedand/or played.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link between theplayback management object and at least a first multimedia file isgenerated comprises an operating step whereby a plurality of groupinglinks between the grouping object and the link objects is generated.

In one aspect, the grouping links comprise one or several link objects.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one link between aplayback management object and at least a first multimedia file isgenerated is managed by the playback management object.

In one aspect, the playback management object comprises a link betweenthe playback management object and at least a first multimedia file.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a grouping object is generated andan operating step whereby at least one link between the playbackmanagement object and at least a first multimedia file is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of link objects betweenthe grouping object and a corresponding plurality of multimedia files isgenerated.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby at least one playbackmanagement object for one or several multimedia files is generatedcomprises an operating step whereby at least one grouping objectconfigured to manage a plurality of multimedia files is generated, themethod comprising an operating step whereby a plurality of links betweenthe grouping object and a corresponding plurality of multimedia filesassociated with the grouping object is generated.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby arespective unique identifier is allocated to one or several multimediafiles in particular to all multimedia files processed, for eachmultimedia file the unique identifier remaining unchanged with respectto a change of allocation of the multimedia file or to a replacement ofthe multimedia file for instance by a different version of the samemultimedia file.

In one aspect, the playback management object is a grouping objectconfigured to manage the playback of a plurality of multimedia files.

In one aspect, the operating step whereby an identification element isgenerated and/or the operating step whereby at least one multimedia fileplayback parameter is generated is/are performed automatically throughthe generation of a default standard value.

In one aspect, the identification element is allocated automatically orsemi-automatically.

In one aspect, the identification element is correlated to the name of amultimedia file linked to the link and/or to the link object.

In one aspect, the identification element coincides with the name of amultimedia file linked to the link and/or to the link object.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby one orseveral thematic groupings of the playback management objects is/aregenerated or defined.

In one aspect, the multimedia files comprise at least one or several ofthe following types of file: audio files, video files, image files,photographs, text files or files comprising a text or tables, filescomprising dynamic objects like objects that are moving upon playing thefile, hypertext links linking to multimedia files, addresses of webpages in the internet or in another computer network, containingmultimedia files, programs capable of playing multimedia files, etc.

In one aspect, the multimedia file playback parameters are one orseveral selected from the following list: playback speed, playbackfrequency, playback volume, fade-in of a multimedia file at the start ofthe multimedia file playback, fade-out of the multimedia file at the endof the multimedia file playback, inhibition of a multimedia fileplayback, iteration of a multimedia file playback, playback sequencewith respect to one or several further multimedia files, controlledplayback of a multimedia file following, or preceding, another givenmultimedia file, controlled playback for a time fraction not exceedingthe duration of a multimedia file playback, start of a multimedia fileplayback at a given portion or instant of the multimedia file, end of amultimedia file playback at a given portion or instant of the multimediafile, etc.

In one aspect, the playback management object is configured to setand/or manage a playback sequence of a plurality of multimedia files.

In one aspect, the playback sequence can be either random or pre-set.

In one aspect, the thematic grouping is configured to manage a playbacksequence of the grouping objects.

In one aspect, by “playing a grouping object” we mean playing one orseveral audio files linked to the grouping object.

In one aspect, by “playing a thematic grouping” we mean playing one orseveral audio files linked to the thematic grouping, the link betweenthematic groupings and audio files comprising one or several groupingobjects and/or one or several link objects.

In one aspect, by “playing a link object” we mean playing the audio filelinked to the link object.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby aplurality of multimedia files is indexed as a function of theidentification element used to identify the playback management objectlinked to the multimedia files.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby aplurality of multimedia files is indexed as a function of theidentification element of its corresponding plurality of link objects.

In one aspect, by “indexing a plurality of multimedia files” we meanstoring the identification elements used to identify the groupingobjects and/or the link objects in a memory and making such multimediafiles available via a search based on the identification elements.

In one aspect, the set of the multimedia file playback managementobjects and their respective multimedia file parameters, and inparticular the set of the link objects, of the grouping objects, oftheir respective multimedia file playback parameters and/or of thethematic groupings, determines, or is comprised in, a user profile, themethod comprising an operating step whereby a user profile is shared byother users, for instance by appropriate controls imparted to adedicated processor software.

In one aspect, the method comprises an operating step whereby one orseveral user profiles is/are stored in a local or remote memory, eachuser profile comprising one or several multimedia file playbackmanagement objects and their respective multimedia file playbackparameters.

In one aspect, the method is a method implemented in a computer.

In one aspect, a processor software is provided configured to implementone or several of the operating steps of the method according to one orseveral of the previous aspects and/or of the attached claims.

In one aspect, a processor software is provided configured to performone or several of the operating steps of the method according to one orseveral of the aspects and/or any of the attached claims.

In one aspect, said software is stored in a memory and/or is installedin a mobile device and/or is installed in a server.

In one aspect, said software is accessible via a computer network, viathe world wide web, or via an internet page.

In one aspect, a processor software is provided installed in a serveraccessible via a computer network, for instance via the world wide webor via an internet page.

In one aspect, a processor software is provided, configured to performat least the following operating steps of the method:

-   -   generating at least one object for managing the playback of one        or several multimedia files, said playback management object        comprising at least one multimedia file playback parameter, said        operating step whereby at least one playback management object        is generated comprising at least an operating step whereby said        at least one multimedia file playback parameter is generated;    -   generating at least one link between said playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   storing said one playback management object and/or said link in        a memory.

In one aspect, the software is configured to perform at least thefollowing operating steps of the method:

-   -   playing at least a first multimedia file, or a plurality of        multimedia files as a function of said at least one playback        parameter of said playback management object, or as a function        of a plurality of playback parameters of a corresponding        plurality of playback management objects;    -   playing one or several multimedia files as a function of said at        least one playback parameter of said playback management object        in accordance with one or several semi-random playback modes        comprising both random playback settings and non-random playback        settings and/or configurable playback settings and/or playback        settings correlated to said playback parameter or to a plurality        of said playback parameters.

In one aspect, the software is configured to generate a visualizationand/or management interface, for instance a graphical visualizationand/or management interface, of a plurality of playback managementobjects, the visualization being preferably correlated to at least oneplayback structure or mode of said plurality of playback managementobjects.

In one aspect, a processor software is provided, configured to performat least the following operating steps of the method:

-   -   generating at least one playback management object of one or        several multimedia files, the playback management object        comprising at least one identification element and at least one        multimedia file playback parameter, the operating step whereby        at least one playback management object is generated comprising        at least an operating step whereby the identification element is        generated and an operating step whereby at least one multimedia        file playback parameter is generated;    -   generating at least one link between the playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   storing at least the playback management object and/or the link        in a memory.

In one aspect, a software is provided comprising a user interface and aprocessor.

In one aspect, the processor is configured to perform one or several ofthe operating steps of the method in accordance with one or several ofthe aspects and/or any of the attached claims.

In one aspect, the processor is configured:

-   -   to generate at least one playback management object of one or        several multimedia files, the playback management object        comprising at least one identification element and at least one        multimedia file playback parameter, the operating step whereby        at least one playback management object is generated comprising        at least an operating step whereby the identification element is        generated and an operating step whereby at least one multimedia        file playback parameter is generated;    -   to generate at least a link between the playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   to store at least the playback management object and/or the link        in a memory.

In one aspect, generating the playback management object of one orseveral multimedia files comprises generating, by appropriate controlsimparted to the processor software via the user interface, a dialogueinterface comprising fields for setting and/or modifying multimedia fileplayback parameters.

In one aspect, the processor is configured to generate theidentification element and at least one multimedia file playbackparameter.

In one aspect, the processor is configured to operate on multimediafiles upon receipt of voice controls.

In one aspect, the user interface is configured to receive voicecontrols and to control the execution of operating steps by theprocessor on the basis of the voice controls received.

In one aspect, the user interface is configured to receive voicecontrols and to manage the playback of multimedia files as a function ofthe voice controls received.

In one aspect, the user interface is configured to set theidentification element and/or one or several playback parameters of theplayback management object.

In one aspect, the user interface comprises a user profile, the userprofile being configured to store at least one playback managementobject and/or at least one link between the playback management objectand at least a first multimedia file and/or at least one grouping objectand/or at least one link object and/or a plurality of grouping linksbetween the grouping object and the link objects.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to have a userprofile shared by other user, for example upon receipt an input from theuser interface.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to store one orseveral user profiles in a memory, for instance upon receipts an inputfrom the user interface, each user profile comprising one or severalmultimedia file playback management objects and their respectivemultimedia file playback parameters.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to edit a previouslygenerated playback management object, to edit previously generatedmultimedia file playback parameters, for instance by assigning a valuethereto or modifying their values, and to store the edited playbackmanagement object and the edited multimedia file playback parameters ina memory.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to link one and thesame multimedia file to a plurality of grouping objects, for instancevia a plurality of corresponding link objects.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to play one and thesame multimedia file in a plurality of playback modes, each playbackmode being managed as a function of a playback management object and ofits playback parameters.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to set and/or tomanage a playback sequence of a plurality of playback managementobjects, for instance of a plurality of grouping objects.

In one aspect, the grouping object playback sequence can be random orpre-set.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to set the groupingobject playback sequence.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured:

-   -   to set, add and/or modify one or several multimedia file        playback parameters, for instance via the user interface, and/or    -   to set, for instance via the user interface, that a given        multimedia file shall be played immediately before or        immediately after a given other multimedia file, and/or    -   to inhibit the playback of a given multimedia file, for instance        via the user interface.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to index a pluralityof multimedia files as a function of the identification element used toidentify the playback management object linked to the multimedia files.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to index a pluralityof multimedia files as a function of the identification element of itscorresponding plurality of link objects.

In one aspect, the processor software is configured to allow the sharingof a user profile by other users, for instance by appropriate controlsimparted to the user interface of the processor software.

In one aspect, the processor software is installed and/or operates in aserver.

In one aspect, the processor software operates via a computer network.

In one aspect, the processor software is a software used to managemultimedia files, including audio files, video files, text files orfiles comprising a text, files comprising dynamic objects includingobjects that are moving upon playing the file.

In one aspect, the processor software is implemented on a web platformand is accessible to a plurality of users via a computer network, inparticular via the internet.

In one aspect, the processor software is accessible via an internet siteand is accessible to a plurality of users via a computer network, inparticular via the internet.

In one aspect, the user interface is accessible via an internet site.

In one aspect, the processor software operates on multimedia filesstored in a remote memory.

In one aspect, the processor software operates on multimedia filesstored in one and the same server in which it is installed and/oroperates.

In one aspect, the processor software is a software applicationconfigured to be installed and implemented in a mobile device.

In one aspect, the memory is connected to, or is comprised in, theprocessor software.

In one aspect, the user interface or the user profile comprises amemory.

In one aspect, a memory is provided wherein a processor software isstored, configured to implement at least the following operating steps:

-   -   generating at least one playback management object of one or        several multimedia files, the playback management object        comprising at least one identification element and at least one        multimedia file playback parameter, the operating step whereby        at least one playback management object is generated comprising        at least an operating step whereby the identification element is        generated and an operating step whereby at least one multimedia        file playback parameter is generated;    -   generating at least one link between the playback management        object and at least a first multimedia file;    -   storing at least the playback management object and/or the link        in a memory.

In one aspect, the memory is the memory of a processor.

In one aspect, it is the user who configures and manages the playback ofthe multimedia files via the multimedia file playback managementobjects, controls the storage of the multimedia file playback managementobjects in a memory, and shares the user profile with other users.

In one aspect, the user interacts with the processor software viadialogue interfaces of the user profile put at disposal via the userinterface.

In one aspect, a system is provided comprising:

-   -   at least one device, in particular a mobile device like a laptop        or a tablet or a smartphone, comprising a local memory, a remote        memory connectable to said at least one device, said memory        being configured to store multimedia file playback related        information,    -   a processor software installed in said at least one device        and/or in a remote processor, the software being configured to        perform one or several of the operating steps of the method        according to one or several of the previous aspects and/or any        of the attached claims, the software also being configured:        -   to update at least one playback counter of one or several            multimedia files linked to said playback management object,            said playback counter being configured to be automatically            updated following an integral or partial playback of            multimedia files within a semi-random playback sequence, to            take account of said playback having been performed, the            value assumed by the playback counter being stored in the            remote memory;        -   transferring from the remote memory to the local memory of            the device and/or from the local memory of the device to the            remote memory those multimedia files which feature a given            value of the playback counter, the transfer of the            multimedia files from the local memory of the device to the            remote memory freeing filing space in the device.

In one aspect, the system comprises a first device, for instance aprocessor, and one second mobile device, the software being installed insaid devices and the remote memory being shared by said devices, thesoftware being configured:

-   -   to play on the first device one or several multimedia files in a        given sequential playback mode, for instance in a semi-random        playback sequence, as a function of said playback management        object and of said at least one playback parameter of said        object until a playback stop time;    -   to synchronize the first and second devices to the remote memory        on the basis of the value assumed by said playback counter for        one or several multimedia files;    -   to resume, in the second device and in an instant in time        subsequent to a playback stopping instant in time, the playback        of the given sequential playback mode stopped.

In one aspect, the synchronization of a devices to said remote memory isperformed on the basis of a query of said playback counter of one orseveral multimedia files linked to said playback management object.

In one aspect, the software is configured to transfer in said remotememory the multimedia files played by the device and/or to download orupload onto the device multimedia files to be played, the transferringof multimedia file from the device to the remote memory freeing filingspace in the device.

In one aspect, the software is configured to delete from said remotememory or from said device the multimedia files featuring a differentgiven value of the playback counter or a given plurality of differentvalues of the playback counter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of one or several preferred embodiments is givennow for explanatory and not limitative purposes, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a method in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 represents a grouping object onto which the method and thesoftware according an embodiment can operate;

FIG. 3 represents a link object onto which the method and the softwareaccording to an embodiment can operate;

FIG. 4 represents a grouping object onto which the method and thesoftware according to an embodiment can operate;

FIG. 5 represents two grouping objects and their respective link objectsonto which the method and the software according to an embodiment canoperate;

FIG. 6 represents a grouping object and its respective link objects ontowhich the method and the software according to an embodiment canoperate;

FIG. 7 represents a grouping object and its respective link objects ontowhich the method and the software according to an embodiment canoperate;

FIG. 8 represents a thematic grouping of grouping objects onto which themethod and the software according to an embodiment can operate;

FIG. 9 represents a processor software according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 10 thru 15 represent operating configurations of a user interfaceof a processor software according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 represents a system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 represents an operating configuration of a dialogue interface ofa processor software according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 represents a playback management object visualization and/ormanagement interface which can be generated according to an operatingstep of the method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for managing multimedia files F1, F2, FN. Inparticular, the method operates onto a plurality of multimedia files F1,F2, FN, for instance belonging to one of the following types of files:audio files, video files, image files, photographs, text files or filescomprising a text or tables, files comprising dynamic objects includingobjects that are moving upon playing the files, etc.

The method comprises an operating step 1 whereby at least one object W,L is generated to manage the playback of one or several multimediafiles, an operating step 2 whereby a link between the playbackmanagement object W, L, and at least one multimedia file is generated,and an operating step 3 whereby the playback management object W, L andthe link are stored in a memory M. The method 1 might also comprise anoperating step 4 whereby one or several multimedia files is/are playedas a function of the playback management object W, L and in particularin accordance with the object W, L playback parameters P.

The playback management objects W, L comprise an identification elementI and a set of multimedia file playback parameters P (see FIGS. 2 and3); the set of playback parameters P can comprise one or severalplayback parameters. The identification element I and the playbackparameter P can be generated within their respective operating steps 10,11 comprised in the operating step 1 whereby the playback managementobject W, L is generated. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 1, theoperating step 1 whereby the playback management object W, L isgenerated can comprise an operating step 10 whereby the object W, Lidentification element I is generated and an operating step 11 wherebythe object W, L playback parameters P are generated. The function of theidentification element I is to identify the playback management objectW, L that it refers to and can assume for instance the form of a name ora numeric or alphanumeric code and/or comprise symbols. The playbackmanagement objects W, L can be grouping objects W or link objects L.

The grouping objects W operate onto a plurality of multimedia files F1,F2, FN and manage their playback via the playback parameters P. Forinstance, FIG. 4 illustrates a grouping object W linked to a pluralityof multimedia files F1, F2, FN. In practice, operationally wise,selecting or setting one or several playback parameters P for a groupingobject W and linking a plurality of multimedia files F1, F2, FN thereto,after or before the operating step whereby one or several playbackparameters P is/are selected or set, corresponds to setting theconditions for the implementation of the operating step 4, i.e. forplaying the multimedia files F1, F2, FN in accordance with the playbackparameters P of the grouping object W. Operationally wise, upon playingthe multimedia files F1, F2, FN, such playback parameters P of thegrouping object W apply to each multimedia file F1, F2, FN linked to thegrouping object W.

Unlike the grouping objects W which operate onto a plurality ofmultimedia files F1, F2, FN, the link objects L are configured tooperate onto one individual multimedia file and to manage the playingvia the playback parameters P. In particular, the link objects L act asa link between one or several grouping objects W and one individualmultimedia file. As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 the link objects Lcan be linked to one and the same grouping object W, for instance viagrouping links WL. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a plurality of multimediafiles F1, F2, FN linked to a grouping object W via respective linkobjects L1, L2, LN. The link objects L1, L2, LN comprise anidentification element I1, I2, IN and a set of playback parameters P1,P2, PN respectively, each of which can comprise only one playbackparameter P or a plurality of playback parameters P. Therefore, themultimedia files F1, F2, FN can be played in accordance with the set ofparameters P1, P2, PN respectively linked thereto via their respectivelink object L1, L2, LN. Also, one and the same multimedia file can belinked to a plurality of grouping objects W via a correspondingplurality of link objects L. For instance, FIG. 5 illustrates a firstgrouping object W1 linked to the multimedia files F1, F2 via theirrespective link objects L1, L2 and a second grouping object W2 linked tothe multimedia files F2, FN via their respective link objects L3, LN.Each link object L1, L2, L3, LN comprises a respective identificationelement I1, I2, 13, IN and a respective set of playback parameters P1,P2, P3, PN; optionally, the grouping elements W1, W2 can also comprise arespective identification element I and respective playback parametersP. In practice, FIG. 5 illustrates a multimedia file F2 linked both tothe first and to the second grouping object W1, W2 respectively via thelink objects L2, L3. In this way, one and the same multimedia file F2can be selectively played in accordance with two different sets ofparameters P2, P3; specifically, the multimedia file F2 is played inaccordance with the set of playback parameters P2 of the link element L2within the playback of the first grouping object W1 and is played inaccordance with the set of playback parameters P3 of the link element L3within the playback of the second grouping object W2. In general,concerning instead a plurality of multimedia files F1, F2, FN linked toone grouping object W, each link object L1, L2, LN operates by linkingits respective multimedia file F1, F2, FN to the one grouping object W,which comprises an identification element I and at least one playbackparameter P. In a variant, the grouping object W comprises anidentification element I, but it does not comprise any playbackparameter P. In accordance with what said above, FIG. 6 illustrates agrouping object W which comprises an identification element I, but doesnot comprise any playback parameter P, whereas FIG. 7 illustrates agrouping object W comprising an identification element I and playbackparameters P. In this event, i.e. whenever the grouping object W thatthe multimedia files F1, F2, FN are linked to comprises in turn playbackparameters P, it is possible, if there is a conflict between playbackparameters P of the grouping object W and of the link object L, tomanage to make the playback parameters P of the link object L prevailover the playback parameters P of the grouping object W or vice versa.By conflict between playback parameters P of the grouping object W andplayback parameters P of the link object L we mean for instance asituation whereby both objects W, L have at least one and the sameplayback parameter P featuring two values that are different from eachother. For instance, with reference to the “speed” playback parameter, aplayback speed set for the link object L (hence for the multimedia filelinked thereto) to a value equal to 30% the highest speed possible mightcreate a conflict with a playback speed set for the grouping object W toa value equal to 50% of the highest speed possible, whereas, if bothspeeds feature one and the same value or if either object W, L does notfeature a value set for the “speed” playback parameter, there is noconflict with respect to such playback parameter.

In other words, the method makes it possible to support at least two“playback management levels” for each multimedia file; a first playbackmanagement level is represented by the grouping object W and a secondplayback management level is represented by the link object L. Bothplayback management levels are configurable through a selection of theplayback parameters P. FIG. 7, for instance, illustrates a schematicrepresentation wherein both playback management levels are present, inthat both the grouping object W and each link object L1, L2, LN presenttheir respective playback parameters P. Conversely, FIG. 6 illustrates aschematic representation wherein the playback level consisting of thelink object L1, L2, LN only is present and FIG. 4 illustrates aschematic representation wherein the playback level consisting of thegrouping object W only is present.

In the operating step 1 of the method, a plurality of grouping objectsW1, W2, WN can be generated, each of which is linked to a correspondingplurality of multimedia files to manage their playback through arespective link generated in the operating step 2 of the method. It isalso possible to support at least one thematic grouping T of groupingobjects W; the thematic grouping T can comprise in turn anidentification element I. The thematic grouping T can feature a “tree”logical structure, wherein one or several branches of the tree comprisea respective grouping object W. FIG. 8, for instance, illustrates athematic grouping T comprising an identification element I and linked toa plurality of grouping objects W1, W2, WN. Each grouping object W canin turn be directly linked to a corresponding plurality of multimediafiles F1, F2, FN (similar to what illustrated in FIG. 4) or by linkobjects L1, L2, LN (similar to what illustrated in FIG. 6 and in FIG.7); by direct link between grouping objects W and multimedia files, wemean a link that does not comprise link objects L.

A thematic grouping T can be used, for instance, to group a plurality ofgrouping objects W1, W2, WN together and to classify them on the basisof the identification element I of the thematic grouping T. Forinstance, a thematic grouping T can be used to classify grouping objectsW having common characteristics, like similar playback parameters Pand/or multimedia files of one and the same type. In particular, athematic grouping T can be exclusively used to classify the groupingobjects W, hence the multimedia files associated therewith, or cancomprise in turn one or several playback parameters P and be alsoconfigured to manage the playback of the multimedia files, thusproviding a third playback management level which adds to the playbackmanagement level consisting of the grouping object W and to the playbackmanagement level consisting of the link objects L. For instance, athematic grouping T can be configured to manage a playback sequencebetween grouping objects W (or chain of grouping objects \N). Themanagement of the playback sequence of the grouping objects W can beconfigured on the basis of the tree structure of the thematic grouping Tand can be modified, for instance by displacing grouping objects W1, W2,WN between branches of the tree. Furthermore, placing a grouping objectW1, W2, WN in a given branch can also affect the playback parameters Pof the grouping object W1, W2, WN.

The operating step 4 of the method can be performed in such a way as toplay one or several multimedia files F1, F2, FN as a function of atleast one playback parameter P of a playback management object W, L andin accordance with a plurality of semi-random playback modes. Theplayback of the multimedia files F1, F2, FN is managed by the playbackmanagement objects W, L and is preferably performed within a semi-randomplayback sequence. By semi-random playback mode we mean, in the contextof the present description, playback modes comprising random playbacksettings and non-random or configurable playback setting; theconfigurable playback settings can be correlated to one or severalplayback parameters P or set by said playback parameters P. A randomplayback setting, for instance, can be made by default, in particular bya software S configured to implement the method (the software S will bedescribed below), and one or several configurable playback settings canbe configured, by a software S, by a user by setting one or severalplayback parameters P.

The method can provide the definition or creation, by a software Sconfigured to implement the method, of a playback counter of one orseveral multimedia files F1, F2, FN linked to a playback managementobject W, L. The playback counter is configured to be automaticallyupdated, for instance by a software S configured to implement themethod, following an integral or partial playback of a multimedia file(for instance within a semi-random playback sequence). If a multimediafile F1, F2, FN is played for at least a given limit playback timeperiod, for instance for at least a time period equal to half of itsplayback duration, then the playback counter is automatically updated (avalue of the playback counter bound to the multimedia file is updated);otherwise, if the multimedia file is played for a period shorter than agiven limit playback time period, for instance for a time period shorterthan half of its playback duration, then the playback counter is leftunchanged (a value of the playback counter bound to the multimedia fileis not modified). At this point, according to the method, the playbackcounter is queried (by checking the value assumed by the playbackcounter for one or several multimedia files F1, F2, FN) to check whetherone or several multimedia files F1, F2, FN has/have already been playeda predetermined number of times and, as a function of the result of thequery, the method specifies that one or several multimedia files beplayed, or their playing be temporarily inhibited. For instance, shouldthe value of the playback counter equal “1” for a determined multimediafile (because, for instance, such multimedia file has already beenplayed once and for at least the given limit playback time duration) and“0” for the remaining multimedia files destined to be played within oneand the same semi-random playback sequence, then the method specifiesthat the playback of the said multimedia file (whose playback countervalue equals “1”) be temporarily inhibited until the remainingmultimedia files are played. After being played once for at least thegiven limit playback time period, the remaining multimedia files willalso feature a value of the playback counter equal to “1”. Such query ofthe playback counter is in accordance with, and can be made within, arandom playback setting, which, for instance, can be implemented bydefault by the software S.

The playback management object W, L can also be configured, by settingone or several playback parameters P, to manage a configurable playbacksequence of multimedia files F1, F2, FN, to set a time correlation in anorder of playback between two or several multimedia files (in particularwithin a semi-random multimedia file playback sequence), to inhibit theplayback of multimedia files within a playback sequence of multimediafiles (in particular within a semi-random sequence of multimedia filesand/or to increase or decrease the playback frequency of a playbackmanagement object W, L or of a multimedia file within one or severalsemi-random playback sequence. By increasing or decreasing the playbackfrequency of the multimedia file we mean increasing or decreasing thenumber of times a multimedia file is played within one or severalsemi-random playback sequence. The operating step whereby the playbackfrequency of a multimedia file or of a playback management object W, Lis increased or decreased is performed by setting or signing a playbackparameter P or a repetition indicator to the multimedia file or to theplayback management object; the playback parameter P or the repetitionindicator is configured to make it possible a multiple playback of amultimedia file within a semi-random playback sequence or to temporarilyinhibit the playback of a multimedia file within said semi-randomplayback sequence.

The method might also comprise an operating step whereby the playback ofone or several multimedia files F1, F2, FN or of one or several playbackmanagement objects W, L is inhibited, in particular within a semi-randomplayback sequence; such inhibition can be performed by setting aplayback parameter P. Inhibition can be effective until such playbackparameter P is modified to remove the inhibit setting.

The method might also comprise an operating step whereby, by anappropriate playback parameter P of multimedia files F1, F2, FN of aplayback management object W, L, the playback of a given multimedia fileand/or of a given playback management object W, L linked to a multimediafile, for instance a link object L, is set to be immediately performedafter playing another given multimedia file or another given playbackmanagement object W, L. For instance, a grouping object W can beconfigured to make it possible a sequential playback of link objects L1,L2, LN (hence of their respective multimedia files F1, F2, FN linkedthereto); in particular, it can be specified for a grouping object Wthat a given link object L (hence the multimedia file linked thereto) beplayed immediately after playing a further link object (hence afterplaying the multimedia file linked to said further link object). Suchplaying can be performed by setting an appropriate playback parameter Pto that link object of the two link objects as specified above, which isplayed first in time, so that, when its playback is over, the playbackparameter P makes it possible the playback of said further link object.

In turn, a thematic grouping T can operate as a playback managementobject (third playback management level) to manage a playback sequencebetween grouping objects W linked thereto in a mode similar to theplayback management mode that a grouping object W operates onto the linkobjects L1, L2, LN linked thereto. In the case of a playback managementby a thematic grouping T, the setting of the playback parameters P (bywhich playback is managed) can be performed for the individual groupingobjects W.

A category object C can also be provided, linked to a plurality ofthematic groupings T. In particular, the category object C can be aplayback management object and can be generated during the operatingstep 1 of the method. The category object C can comprise anidentification element I and one or several playback parameters P. Thecategory object C can be configured to manage the playback of thematicgroupings T linked thereto, for instance by setting playback parametersP of the same category object C or of the thematic groupings T; in otherwords, the category object C can operate as a fourth playback managementlevel, which adds to the playback management levels represented by thelink objects L, by the grouping objects W, and by the thematic groupingsT.

The method can also provide the generation of a visualization interfaceV, for instance a graphical visualization interface, to visualize aplurality of playback management objects W, L. The visualizationinterface V can also be destined to, and allow, the management of theplayback management objects W, L. The visualization of said playbackmanagement objects W, L is correlated to at least one playback structureor mode of the playback management objects W, L. For instance, FIG. 18illustrates a visualization interface V, where there is a categoryobject C (identified by the “Emotions” identification element) in themiddle of the visualization interface V and a plurality of thematicgroupings T (identified by their respective identification elements,including: “Energy”, “Glory”, “Faith”, etc.) arranged around thecategory object C. Around each thematic grouping T, a plurality ofgrouping objects W is arranged (for instance, for the “Energy” thematicgrouping, the grouping objects are identified by their respectiveidentification elements, including: “speed”, “courage”, “boldness”,etc.). The grouping objects W are linked in turn to link objects L (notshown in FIG. 18); in practice, the link objects L link the groupingobjects W to the multimedia files F1, F2, FN.

In accordance with such arrangement of grouping objects W, thematicgroupings T and category object C, the visualization interface V isadvantageously correlated to, and provide information on, thehierarchical structure of the playback management objects (justconsisting of category objects C, thematic groupings T, grouping objectsW and link objects L not shown in FIG. 18-). Other visualization modescan be provided for these playback management objects indeed, forinstance a tree structure or a diagram or a schematization or analternative structure.

If one goes on and plays a thematic grouping T, the software S providesa playback of the link objects (hence of their respective multimediafiles linked thereto) linked to all grouping objects linked in turn tothe thematic grouping T, whereas, if one goes on and plays oneindividual grouping object, the software S only manages to play the linkobjects linked to said grouping object. Preferably, is the playback ofthe link objects and of the multimedia files linked thereto performedwithin a semi-random multimedia file playback sequence. The conceptsherein are also related to a processor software S configured to managethe playback of a plurality of multimedia files F1, F2, FN. Preferablyis the software S configured to implement the previously describedmethod. In particular, the software S is configured to determine orcreate a playback counter, to query the playback counter (in accordancewith the previously described operating steps of the method) and to playor temporarily inhibit the playback of one or several multimedia filesF1, F2, FN within a semi-random playback mode correlated to the resultof the query of the playback counter. The software S is also configuredto update, or to leave unchanged, the playback counter as a function ofthe playback of the multimedia files, as described above. The software Sis also configured to set and/or manage semi-random playback modes orsequences of the previously described type.

The software S can be stored or installed in a memory M, LM, RM. Thesoftware S can be installed in a device 201, 202, in particular in amobile device (for instance a laptop or a tablet or a smartphone) and/orin a server. In particular, the software S is accessible via a computernetwork, via the world wide web or via an internet page. Preferably isthe software accessible from and/or operates on a web platform. As shownin FIG. 9, the software S comprises a user interface UI and processor PMoperationally linked to the user interface UI. Preferably the processorPM is configured to operate on the multimedia files F1, F2, FN uponreceipt of an input from the user interface UI. The processor PM isconfigured to generate at least one playback management object W, L ofone or several multimedia files. In particular, upon receipt of an inputfrom the user interface UI, the processor PM is configured to generateat least one grouping object W and/or a link object L and to generate atleast one link between the playback management object W, L and at leastone multimedia file F1. The user interface UI also allows to operate onthe playback management object W, L in order to generate, select, and/orset the playback parameters P and, optionally, the identificationelement I. The processor PM is also configured to generate at least onelink between the playback management object W, L and at least onemultimedia file.

The software S can be stored or installed in or linked to a memory M,LM, RM to make it possible to store the playback management object W, Land the links between the objects W, L and the multimedia files. Forinstance, the user interface UI can comprise a user profile UPconfigured to store, via a memory M, LM, RM, at least one playbackmanagement object W, L. In other words, the user profile UP can beconfigured to store at least one grouping object W and/or at least onelink object L. The memory M, LM, RM can be for instance the memory of aprocessor. In accordance with an embodiment, the user interface UI isconfigured to receive voice controls and to control the processor PM andto manage the playback of multimedia files as a function of the voicecontrols received. The user can interact with the software S viadialogue interfaces (or masks or dialogue windows) 100 of the userinterface UI (see FIGS. 10-12 and 14-15).

The software S is configured to play the multimedia files F1, F2, FN inaccordance with one or several semi-random playback modes. Inparticular, the software S is configured to allow to set the playbackparameters P that allow to manage the playback. Such playback parametersP can allow a user of the software S to create and manage a configurableplayback sequence of multimedia files F1, F2, FN, to set a timecorrelation in an order of playback between two or several multimediafiles (for instance within a semi-random multimedia file playbacksequence). The playback parameters P make also it possible for a user ofthe software S to inhibit the playback of multimedia files F1, F2, FNwithin a multimedia file playback sequence F1, F2, FN (in particularwithin a semi-random multimedia file playback sequence) and/or toincrease or decrease the playback frequency of a playback managementobject W, L or of a multimedia file within one or several semi-randomplayback sequences. In other words, the software S is configured toperform one or several of the operating steps of the previouslydescribed method. This allows for a user to create and customize one orseveral semi-random playback modes, which allow for the user tocustomize his/her multimedia file playing experience.

Concerning the playback of the multimedia files F1, F2, FN, the softwareS is also configured to play one and the same multimedia file inaccordance with a plurality of playback modes. Such feature is possiblebecause the software S is configured to link one and the same multimediafile to a plurality of grouping objects W via a respective plurality oflink objects L and is also configured to play such multimedia file inaccordance with the playback parameters P of each individual object W, Lthat the multimedia file is linked to. In other words, in order to playa multimedia file in accordance with different playback parameters P, itis not necessary to have a plurality of copies of the same multimediafile, but one multimedia file linked to a plurality of grouping objectsW via a corresponding plurality of link objects L; in this respect seefor instance the multimedia file F2 in FIG. 5, which is linked to twoseparate grouping objects W1, W2 via the link objects L2, L3respectively.

Furthermore, the software S is configured to allocate to the multimediafiles a unique identifier which remains unchanged with respect tochanges of allocation of the multimedia file or replacements of themultimedia file. For instance, a multimedia file can be replaced by adifferent version of one multimedia file without losing the informationrelated to the grouping objects W and to the link objects L linkedthereto just thanks to such unique identifier associated with themultimedia file. The allocation of a unique identifier to eachmultimedia file can be performed by the software S upon loading thefiles in the software S or in a memory M.

The software S can also be configured to index a plurality of multimediafiles F1, F2, FN as a function of the identification element I of thelink objects L, the grouping objects W, and/or the thematic grouping T.In other words, the software S can be configured to store suchidentification elements I in a memory M and to subsequently make themultimedia files F1, F2, FN linked to the objects W, L or to thethematic grouping T accessible through a search by identificationelement I. For this purpose, the software S can be provided with aspecific searching mask within which it is possible to perform suchsearch for multimedia files based on the identification elements I.

The software S can be installed in one or several devices 201, 202, forinstance in a processor 201 and in a mobile device 202, which caninclude a respective local memory LM and share one and the same remotememory RM. In the remote memory RM information is stored relevant to theplayback of the multimedia files F2, F2, FN and in particularinformation related to the values assumed by the playback counter. Theremote memory RM is connectable to the devices 201, 202 and inparticular it is shared by them. Multimedia files F1, F2, FN can also bestored in the remote memory RM. The remote memory RM can also beincluded, for instance, in a system of the “cloud computing” type; inparticular, the remote memory RM can be a memory of a remote processor.In the local memory LM of the devices 201, 202 multimedia files F1, F2,FN can be stored for being played by the software S in accordance withthe previously described method. Upon playing the multimedia files F1,F2, FN in a device 201, 202, the playback counter is automaticallyupdated as previously described and the values of the playback counterare stored at least in the remote memory RM. During the playback of themultimedia files F1, F2, FN in a device 201, 202, as a function of thevalues assumed by the playback counter, provisions can be made totransfer multimedia files F1, F2, FN from the local memory LM of thedevice 201, 202 to the remote memory RM, or vice versa. Preferably isthe transfer of the multimedia files F1, F2, FN performed from the localmemory LM to the remote memory RM, in such a way as to free filing spacein the device 201, 202. The transfer of the multimedia files F1, F2, FNis performed by the software S and concerns multimedia files thatfeature a given value of the playback counter. For instance, provisionscan be made for a transfer from the local memory LM to the remote memoryRM of already played multimedia files F1, F2, FN, i.e. multimedia filesF1, F2, FN whose value of the playback counter corresponds to acondition of multimedia files having already been played. In otherwords, the already played multimedia files F1, F2, FN can be transferredfrom the local memory LM of the device 201, 202 to the remote memory RM.Transferring files from the device 201, 202 to the remote memory RM isparticularly advantageously in that it allows to face a local memory LMhaving a limited filing space or in any case to free filing space in thedevice 201, 202.

The devices 201, 202 can also be synchronized to the remote memory RM;such synchronization is performed on the basis of the value assumed bythe playback counter and makes it possible, following a stop in playingmultimedia files F1, F2, FN in a device 201 (for instance a processor),to resume the playback in a mobile device 202 (for instance asmartphone) in an instant in time subsequent to the instant in time theplaying was stopped. Synchronization makes it possible to resume theplayback of the multimedia files F1, F2, FN in the mobile device 202,for instance within a semi-random playback sequence; resuming theplayback makes it possible to continues the semi-random playbacksequence by resuming the playback, in the mobile device 202, exactlyfrom the instant in time it had been stopped. Such resumption of theplayback is possible through the updating of the playback counters inthe remote memory RM. Preferably is the synchronization of the devices201, 202 to the remote memory RM performed on the basis of a query ofthe playback counter of one or several multimedia files F1, F2, FN.

In general, the software S and the method can support the generation ofa plurality of grouping objects W, a plurality of link objects L, and/ora plurality of thematic groupings T and/or one or several categoryobjects C, which can be variously linked and can manage the playback ofthe multimedia files in accordance with the modes illustrated in thepresent description.

The concepts herein also concern a system 200 (see FIG. 16) comprisingone or several devices 201, 202, a remote memory RM, and a processorsoftware S of the previously described type. The software S is installedin the devices 201, 202 and is also operational in the remote memory RMto make it possible a synchronization of the devices 201, 202 to theremote memory RM itself as already described before. For the devices201, 202 and the remote memory RM, different versions of the software Scan be provided or different portions of the software S can beinstalled.

In the continuation of the present description, in order to exemplifyembodiments of the method and of the software S, reference will be madeto a method and a software for managing audio files (see FIGS. 10-15 and17-18); however, the method and the software S can also be applied toother types of multimedia files, including those previously described.

The software S is capable of operating, via an input of the userinterface UI, on a library of audio files (also referred to as musiclibrary) and makes it possible for a user to organize his/her own musiclibrary through customized associations (these are the previouslydescribed link objects L, also briefly referred to as “Links”) betweenone or several audio files and one or several “keywords” (these are thepreviously described grouping objects W, also referred to as “Words”).In the continuation of the present description, by “customizedassociation” we mean the link objects L, and by “keywords” we mean thegrouping objects W. For instance, FIGS. 10-15 illustrate possibleoperational configurations of a user profile UP within a user interfaceUI of the software S. As illustrated in such figures, the user interfaceUI is basically subdivided into three areas C; the left-hand areacorresponding to the column located below the title “Items”) is destinedto managing the audio files, the middle area (corresponding to thecolumn located below the title “Words”) is destined to managing thethematic groupings T and the keywords grouped into their respectivethematic groupings T (see in particular FIG. 10 and FIG. 14), and theright-hand area (corresponding to the column located below the title“Links”) is destined to managing the customized associations. FIG. 10illustrates a plurality of audio files F1, F2, FN, which can be linkedto one or several thematic groupings T, to one or several groupingobjects W1, W2, WN, and to one or several link objects L1, L2, LN. FIG.10 also shows a number of management options for the selected audio fileF1 put at disposal by the dialogue interface 100; among these, let'semphasize in particular the “Add Link” option, by which it is possibleto generate a link object L (and its respective identification element Iand playback parameters P) to link the audio file F1 to at least onegrouping object W1, W2, WN, and the “Play” option which allows to playthe multimedia file F1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a grouping object W and a plurality of link objectsL1, L2, LN linked thereto. FIG. 11 also shows a number of groupingobject management options put at disposal by the dialogue interface 100;among these, let's emphasize the “Add Link” option, by which it ispossible to generate a link object L (and its respective identificationelement I and playback parameters P) for instance to link an audio fileto the selected grouping object, the “Add a new Word” option, by whichit is possible to generate a further grouping object W (and itsrespective identification element I and playback parameters P), the“Edit” option which allows to modify the selected grouping object W (andits respective identification element I and playback parameters P), andthe “Play” option which allows to play the selected grouping object W.

FIG. 12 illustrates the dialogue interface 100 after selecting the abovementioned “Edit” option; the figure shows that such dialogue interface100 makes it possible to modify the identification element I and theplayback parameter P of the grouping object W and to store themodifications made on the grouping object W by clicking the “OK” option.

FIG. 13 illustrates a grouping object W linked to a plurality of linkobjects L1, L2, LN, each of which is provided with its respectiveidentification elements I1, I2, IN and its respective playbackparameters P1, P2, PN.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 also show an audio file F1 linked to the groupingobject W via the link object L1.

FIG. 14 also shows a grouping object W linked to a plurality of linkobjects L1, L2, LN, and a plurality of thematic groupings T. FIG. 14also shows a number of link object management options put at disposal bythe dialogue interface 100; among these, let's emphasize the “Add a newLink” option, by which it is possible to generate a further link objectL, for instance to link the audio file F1 to a further grouping object(further with respect to the grouping object W that the audio file F1 isalready linked to via the link object L1), and the “Edit” option whichallows to modify the selected link object L1 (and its respectiveidentification element and playback parameters).

FIG. 15 illustrates the dialogue interface (or dialogue window or mask)100 after selecting the “Edit” option in FIG. 14; the figure shows thatsuch interface makes it possible to modify the playback parameters P ofthe link object L1. From the viewpoint of a user operating on the userinterface UI of the software S, the keywords can have a specific meaningand for instance describe emotions, moods, uses, activities, situations,and whatever is possibly meaningful and/or worth for a user to associatewith those given audio files. As a function of the customizedassociations and of the keywords, it is subsequently possible to set andcontrol a customizable playback of audio files. Furthermore, a user canset the file playback mode through the user interface UI, for instancein accordance with one or several of the following playback parametersP: fade-in of a multimedia file at the start of the playback of themultimedia file, fade-out of a multimedia file at the end of theplayback of the multimedia file, inhibiting the playback of themultimedia file, iterating the playback of a multimedia file, playbacksequence with respect to one or several further multimedia files,controlled playback of a multimedia file following or preceding anothergiven multimedia file, controlled playback for a time fraction whosetime duration does not exceed the playback duration of the multimediafile, start of playback of a multimedia file at a given portion orinstant in time of the multimedia file, end of playing of a multimediafile at a given portion or instant in time of the multimedia file. Themanagement of the audio file playback can be performed by basically orexclusively using voice controls.

FIG. 17 also illustrates some further playback parameters P which can beset by a user; one of these playback parameters allows to manage theplayback frequency (parameter referred to as “frequence” in the figure),another playback parameter P (parameter referred to as “after that” inthe figure) allows to set the playback of a given audio file (or of agiven playback management object W, L, linked to an audio file, forinstance a link object L), be performed immediately after playinganother given audio file (or immediately after playing a playbackmanagement object W, L linked to an audio file, for instance a linkobject L). FIG. 17 also illustrates a further playback parameter(parameter referred to as “is freeze” in the figure), which allows toinhibit the playback of an audio file within an audio file playbacksequence. Such playback parameters P are configured to manage theplayback of audio files within a semi-random audio file playbacksequence.

In other words, in general, such playback parameters P make it possibleto configure the non-random or configurable playback settings which aresubsequently executed in the semi-random playback modes. The semi-randomplayback modes make it possible to play multimedia files (preferablyaudio files) in accordance with settings selected by a user (by saidplayback parameters P) and random playback settings managed by thesoftware S by default via the playback counter, as previously described.In this way, the software S supports the possibility of playbackmultimedia files F1, F2, FN in accordance with that which can be calledan “intelligent random” mode, which will be detailed below.

In practice, with reference to the audio file playback management, as afunction of the customized associations (link objects), of the keywords(grouping objects), of the thematic groupings, and of the categoryobjects it is possible to set and control a customizable random playbackof audio files (or semi-random playback mode). In the present text, bysemi-random playback mode we mean a mode having a file-to-play selectioncomponent of a random type, managed through a random number generator ofa type known by itself, in conjunction with a configurable orcustomizable component which allows to set additional conditions whichare applied at the same time as the random generation. Therefore suchplayback is not completely managed in a random way (it is not completely“random”) but it is basically an “intelligent random” one, i.e. it is anaudio file playback configurable by a user via the software S accordingto one or several playback parameters P settable for the playbackmanagement objects, for instance for the customized associations, forthe keywords and/or for the thematic groupings. In practice a user canset, via the user interface UI, a number of rules or playback parametersP, and in particular he/she can: increase or decrease the playbackfrequency of one or several customized associations, specify that, aftera given customized association be played, another given customizedassociation be always followed (“after that”), specify that a givencustomized association be not played until receiving a contraryinstruction (“freeze” or inhibition of playback the audio file linked tothe customized association). Such playback parameters P can also be setfor the grouping objects (keywords) or for the thematic groupings.Furthermore, a user can set the “intelligent random” via the userinterface UI in accordance with one or several of the following playbackparameters P: fade-in of a multimedia file at the start of playback ofthe multimedia file, fade-out of a multimedia file at the end ofplayback of the multimedia file, inhibiting the playback of themultimedia file, iterating the playback of the multimedia files,playback sequence with respect to one or several further multimediafiles, controlled playback of a multimedia file following or precedinganother given multimedia file, controlled playback for a time fractionwhose playback duration does not exceed the time of the multimedia file,start of playback of a multimedia file at a given portion or instant intime of the multimedia file, end of playback of a multimedia file at agiven portion or instant in time of the multimedia file. In other words,in this operating step whereby the type of “intelligent random” playbacktype is set, a user instructs the software S (for instance on the basisof his/her own tastes and/or sensitivity) with respect to the rules thathe/she shall follow upon playing the multimedia files. Such customizablerandom playback manages the audio files by using the customizedassociations and the keywords associated therewith. Furthermore, thesoftware S allows to control in real time a number of further parametersrelated to the execution of the audio files.

In general, when generating customized associations, keywords, and linksto the audio files (basically in the previously described operatingsteps 1 and 2 of the method) a user instructs the software S about therelationship between our music and the user himself/herself; it isbasically a preparatory step to the true use. In the operating stepfollowing the preparatory step, a user manages, via the user interfaceUI and by the processor PM, the execution of audio files by controllingthe playback of the desired music in a given instant in time (forinstance the music that best associates with the user's mood in thatinstant in time) by basically using the created keywords. For instance,some keywords can include terms like “emotions”, “force”, “energy”,“love”, “running”, “dance”, etc. In practice, the set of the keywordscreated by a user can constitute a complete conceptual map describingthe music tastes of the user himself/herself and in particulardescribing the music preferences of the user with respect to givensituations or activities. As previously said, the keywords are groupingobjects W and the term that characterizes and identifies such keywordscorresponds to the identification element I of the grouping objects W.

Operationally wise, an example of the operating step following thepreparatory step consists of the following situation: a user feels thathe/she needs “force” in a moment when he/she feels weak and then he/sheuses the “force” keyword to instruct the software S to play multimediafiles linked to the “force” keyword. The software S consequently managesthe playback of the audio files linked to the “force” keyword inaccordance with the playback parameters P of the grouping object Wconsisting in this case of the “force” keyword and with the specificmodes set for the customized associations between the audio files andthe “force” keyword (i.e. in accordance with the playback parameters Pof the link objects L linking their respective audio files to thegrouping object W consisting in this case of the “force” keyword). Inpractice a user, as a function of his/her feelings or emotions, candecide that selecting a given keyword for playing (hence the subsequentplayback of the audio files linked to that keyword) is more suitablethan another one in the light of the specific situation he/she is livingor of the sensations he/she is feeling in a given instant in time. Auser can also decide what is the keyword most suitable to select as afunction of the activity he/she is performing or is going to perform.For instance, a user starts running and selects the “running” word andthe software S (for instance installed in a mobile device 202) startsplaying the audio files the user previously linked to the “running”keyword in the specific modes how the customized associations have beenset. Subsequently, for instance while the user is running and while theaudio files linked to the “running” keyword are being played, the userhimself/herself can enter, for instance by voice or by a manualselection through the user interface UI, a “fast running” control (afurther keyword) and consequently the software S plays the audio filesassociates with “fast running”. Concerning the playback parameters P ofsuch keywords, the “running” keyword possibly comprises, for instance, aplayback speed set to a first value, whereas the “fast running” keywordpossibly comprises a playback speed set to a second value higher thanthe first value. The customized associations that link each individualaudio file to one or both said keywords can for instance specify that agiven audio file, like the first audio file that is played against akeyword, be played with a volume or a speed or a playback frequency thatgradually increases from the beginning to the end of the playback of theaudio file (so as to correspond to a gradual initial warm up conditionof the user or to a progressively increasing effort of the user). As analternative to a manual selection of the “fast running” keyword by theuser, it can be performed automatically by the software S uponoccurrence of a given condition, for instance a time-based condition.Just as an example of such time-base condition, the software S mightoperate in such a way that the audio files linked to the “running”keyword be played for 30 minutes and subsequently the audio files linkedto the “fast running” keyword be played for 10 minutes; the playback ofsuch keywords can be preceded or followed by the playback of otherkeywords for instance “breathing” (corresponding to less effort or restconditions of the user). In this way, by sequentially playing pre-setkeywords, the software S can also give instructions to the user who isusing it about the activity he/she is performing or about how should itbe performed. Such keyword sequential playback mode, also referred to as“chain words”, corresponds to a general sequential keyword playback modeimplementable by the software S and can for instance be managed by athematic grouping T of the previously described type. FIG. 10illustrates a thematic grouping T provided with an identificationelement I and linked to a plurality of grouping objects W1, W2, WN. Forinstance, a thematic grouping T can be provided, whose identificationelement I is “complete running cycle”. Such “complete running cycle”thematic grouping can be linked to a plurality of keywords, including“running”, “fast running”, and “breathing”, and can be configured tomanage a chain of keywords including, as an example, the followingplaying of “breathing” for 5 minutes, the playback of “running” for 30minutes, the playback of “fast running” for 10 minutes, and finally theplayback of “breathing” for 5 minutes. In this event, the thematicgrouping T comprises the playback parameter P corresponding to thekeyword playback sequence.

In other words, even in the light of the above examples, theidentification element might correspond to a condition, at theoccurrence of which a user decides whether to play the audio filesassociated therewith and the customized associations linking suchkeyword to its respective multimedia files corresponding, via theirplayback parameters P, to a plurality of detailed instructions for thesoftware S about the specific audio track playback mode.

The set of the keywords and of the customized associations between audiofiles and keywords of each user can be backed-up through the userinterface UI of the software S and can be stored in a respective userprofile UP, which in this case also operates as a memory. Furthermore,in such user profile UP the settings relevant to the thematic groupingsT and to the category objects C can be backed-up. Therefore, the userprofile UP represents a source of information about the specific andunique relationship between music and that specific user. A user profileUP or a music library organized by keywords and customized associationscan also be shared by other users, for instance within a user network.Thanks to such sharing, a user provides another user or a plurality ofother users or all users of the user network (as a function of thesharing options of the software S which can be for instance selectedthrough the user interface UI) with information concerning the specificrelationship existing between music (the audio files) and the userhimself/herself. In practice, whenever a user profile UP or a musiclibrary is shared, the user who controls the sharing exhibits what thatmusic communicates to himself/herself, what emotions are transmitted tohim/her, when and how he/she listens to them, etc. Furthermore thesoftware S can support the creation of an additional user profile UP orof an additional music library; the additional user profile UP or theadditional music library can be configured to be subsequently sent toanother user. Such additional user profile UP or additional musiclibrary can, before being sent, be configured as a function of thetastes, experiences, feelings, sensitivity, etc. of the user who is toreceive it, so as to represent a dedicated and tailored gift for therecipient user. In other words, the keywords constitute truecommunication channels which transmit personal, mood, sentimental,relational, and/or character information of a user to one or severalother users.

Advantageously, as previously detailed, is the software in accordancewith to the concepts herein configured to involve users in creating amusic library and in managing the playback of the audio files of themusic library. Such aspect is particularly advantageous in that it isthe user who decides which are the playback “music path” the softwareshall follow through the setting of the customized associations, of thekeywords, and/or of the thematic groupings and of its respectivesequence. In other words, the software always operates within theboundaries of the rules, of the audio files, and of the music paths setby the user. This is possible because, advantageously, a user interactswith the software to set the customized associations, the keywords, andthe thematic groupings in an operating step preceding the playback ofthe audio files. In practice, a user selects a keyword or a thematicgrouping T or a category object C with the purpose of making thesoftware play the file audio linked thereto and he/she does not need tomanage the playback during the execution of the audio files, in thathe/she already previously set the rules and the music paths the softwareshall follow.

The concepts herein allow to achieve one or several of the followingadvantages and to solve one or several of the problems encountered inthe known art. First of all, the concepts herein make it possible toincrease and optimize the multimedia file playback modes. Furthermore,the method and the processor software according to the concepts hereinmake it possible to manage and play multimedia files in accordance witha simple, rational, and intuitive logic. The software according to theconcepts herein makes it possible a multimedia file playback managementthat can be set in a simple manner, for instance by a user through aselection of the playback parameters, and be automatically managed bythe software itself. The software and the method according to theconcepts herein, which support playback setting that are not random orconfigurable (for instance by setting playback parameters) and randomplayback settings (for instance by taking advantage of the default logicof the software), make it possible to manage the playback of multimediafiles in accordance with one or several semi-random playback modes. Suchsemi-random playback modes offer a various and pleasant multimedia fileplaying experience to users. The software and the method according tothe concepts herein also make it possible to customize multimedia filesplayback management, by making it configurable by an individual user asa function of his/her needs. Furthermore, the system according to theconcepts herein makes it possible to optimize the multimedia fileplayback management, for instance through the update of the playbackcounter.

Furthermore, the claimed solution is easy to use, easy to implement, andsimple and economical to realize.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for managing files, in particularmultimedia files, the method comprising at least following operatingsteps: generating, by a computer, at least one playback managementobject for managing playback of one or several multimedia files, saidone playback management object comprising at least one multimedia fileplayback parameter; generating, by the computer, at least one linkbetween said one playback management object and at least a firstmultimedia file; and storing, by the computer, said at least oneplayback management object and said link in a memory, wherein themultimedia file playback parameter is selected in following list:playback speed, playback frequency, playback volume, fade-in of amultimedia file at start of multimedia file playback, fade-out of themultimedia file at end of the multimedia file playback, inhibition ofthe multimedia file playback, iteration of the multimedia file playback,playback sequence with respect to the one or several multimedia files,controlled playback of a multimedia file following, or preceding,another given multimedia file, controlled playback for a time fractionnot exceeding duration of the multimedia file playback, start of themultimedia file playback at a given portion or instant of the multimediafile, end of the multimedia file playback at a given portion or instantof the multimedia file; wherein the at least one link comprises a linkobject for managing the playback of the one or several multimedia files,each playback management link object comprising at least one auxiliaryidentification element and at least one auxiliary playback parameter ofthe multimedia files, operating step whereby at least one link betweensaid playback management object and least a the first multimedia file isgenerated also comprising an operating step whereby said link object isgenerated, an operating step whereby at least said auxiliaryidentification element is generated and an operating step whereby saidauxiliary playback parameter of multimedia files is generated, andupdating, by the computer, at least one playback counter of the one orseveral multimedia files linked to said playback management object, saidplayback counter being configured to be automatically updated followingan integral or partial playback of multimedia files within a semi-randomplayback sequence, to take account of said playback having beenperformed, value assumed by the playback counter being stored in aremote memory and/or in a device.
 2. The method according to claim 1,for managing the playback of multimedia files.
 3. The method accordingto claim 2, comprising the following operating steps: querying saidplayback counter of one or several multimedia files linked to saidplayback management object in order to check whether a multimedia filehas already been played a predetermined number of times; and playing, ortemporarily inhibiting the playback of one or several multimedia fileswithin a semi-random playback mode in a way correlated to the result ofsaid query relevant to the value assumed by said playback counter. 4.The method according to claim 2, also comprising an operating stepwhereby at least a first multimedia file, or a plurality of multimediafiles, are played as a function of said at least one playback parameterof said playback management object or a corresponding plurality ofplayback management objects and/or comprising an operating step wherebyone or several multimedia files are played as a function of said atleast one playback parameter of said at least one playback managementobject in accordance with one or several semi-random playback modescomprising both random playback settings and non-random playbacksettings and/or configurable playback settings and/or playback settingscorrelated to said playback parameter or to a plurality of said playbackparameters and/or wherein said playback management object is configuredto play via one or several of links a plurality of multimedia files inaccordance with one or several of semi-random playback modes comprisingboth random playback setting and non-random playback settings and/orconfigurable playback settings and/or playback settings correlated tosaid playback parameter or to a plurality of said playback parameters.5. The method according to the claim 4, wherein said at least oneplayback management object is configured, by setting an appropriateplayback parameter, to manage a configurable multimedia file playbacksequence and/or to set a correlation in a playback order between two orseveral multimedia files in a semi-random playback sequence ofmultimedia files and/or to inhibit playback of given multimedia fileswithin a playback sequence of multimedia files or within a semi-randomplayback sequence of multimedia files and/or wherein playback managementobject is a grouping object configured to manage the playback of aplurality of multimedia files.
 6. The method according to claim 1,comprising an operating step whereby the playback frequency of amultimedia file within one or several sequences of semi-random playbackor of a playback management object is increased or decreased, whereinthe operating step whereby the playback frequency of a multimedia fileor of a playback management object is increased or decreased isperformed by setting or assigning a playback parameter or repetitionindicator to the multimedia file or to the playback management object,said playback parameter or repetition indicator being configured to makeit possible multiple playback of a multimedia file within a semi-randomplayback sequence or to temporarily inhibit the playback of a multimediafile within said semi-random playback sequence.
 7. The method accordingto claim 1, comprising an operating step whereby the playback of one orseveral multimedia files or of one or several playback managementobjects, said playback management objects comprising one or several linkobjects, within a semi-random playback sequence is inhibited, saidinhibit operating step being performed by setting an appropriatemultimedia file playback parameter of a playback management object. 8.The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises anoperating step whereby, by an appropriate multimedia file playbackparameter of a playback management object, the playback of a givenmultimedia file and/or of a given playback management object, comprisinga link object, linked to a multimedia file is set to be performed in away correlated to, or immediately after, the playback of another givenmultimedia file or of another given playback management object.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, comprising an operating step whereby avisualization and/or management interface is generated, saidvisualization interface comprising a graphical visualization interface,to visualize and/or manage a plurality of playback management objects,the visualization being correlated to at least one playback structure ormode of said plurality of playback management objects.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the playback management object alsocomprises one identification element and wherein operating step wherebyat least one playback management object is generated also comprises anoperating step whereby the identification element is generated.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said playback management objectcomprises a plurality of playback parameters of multimedia files, atleast one playback management object is generated also comprising anoperating step whereby said plurality of playback parameters ofmultimedia files is generated.
 12. The method according to claim 1,wherein the method comprises: generating a plurality of said playbackmanagement objects; generating at least one link between each playbackmanagement object of said playback management objects and at least arespective first multimedia file; and storing said plurality of saidplayback management objects and/or links in a memory.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method comprises an operating stepwhereby one or several multimedia files is played as a function of saidplayback management object and of at least one playback parameter ofsaid object.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises an operating step whereby a plurality of links between saidplayback management object and a corresponding plurality of multimediafiles is generated and/or wherein said playback management object is agrouping object configured to manage the playback of a plurality ofmultimedia files.
 15. The method according to claim 14, comprising:generating at least one grouping object configured to manage a pluralityof multimedia files; and generating a plurality of link objects betweensaid grouping object and a corresponding plurality of multimedia files.16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating step wherebyat least one playback management object of one or several multimediafiles is generated comprises an operating step whereby one or severallink objects is/are generated, each link object being configured tomanage the playback of one individual respective multimedia file, themethod also comprising the following operating steps: generating atleast one grouping object for said link objects, said grouping objectcomprising at least one identification element; generating a pluralityof grouping links between the grouping object and the link objects. 17.The method according to claim 16, wherein said grouping object is afurther multimedia file playback management object and comprises onefurther playback parameter, said operating step whereby at least onegrouping object for said playback management objects of one or severalmultimedia files is generated also comprising an operating step wherebysaid identification element and said further playback parameter aregenerated.
 18. A software stored in a memory and configured to perform amethod for managing files, in particular multimedia files, the methodcomprising at least following operating steps: generating, by acomputer, at least one playback management object for managing playbackof one or several multimedia files, said one playback management objectcomprising at least one multimedia file playback parameter; generating,by the computer, at least one link between said one playback managementobject and at least a first multimedia file; and storing, by thecomputer, said at least one playback management object and said link ina memory, wherein the multimedia file playback parameter is selected infollowing list: playback speed, playback frequency, playback volume,fade-in of a multimedia file at start of multimedia file playback,fade-out of the multimedia file at end of the multimedia file playback,inhibition of the multimedia file playback, iteration of the multimediafile playback, playback sequence with respect to the one or severalmultimedia files, controlled playback of a multimedia file following, orpreceding, another given multimedia file, controlled playback for a timefraction not exceeding duration of the multimedia file playback, startof the multimedia file playback at a given portion or instant of themultimedia file, end of the multimedia file playback at a given portionor instant of the multimedia file; wherein the at least one linkcomprises a link object for managing the playback of the one or severalmultimedia files, each playback management link object comprising atleast one auxiliary identification element and at least one auxiliaryplayback parameter of the multimedia files, operating step whereby atleast one link between said playback management object and least a thefirst multimedia file is generated also comprising an operating stepwhereby said link object is generated, an operating step whereby atleast said auxiliary identification element is generated and anoperating step whereby said auxiliary playback parameter of multimediafiles is generated, and updating, by the computer, at least one playbackcounter of the one or several multimedia files linked to said playbackmanagement object, said playback counter being configured to beautomatically updated following an integral or partial playback ofmultimedia files within a semi-random playback sequence, to take accountof said playback having been performed, value assumed by the playbackcounter being stored in a remote memory and/or in a device, saidsoftware being accessible through a computer network, via world wide webor by an internet page.
 19. The software according to claim 18,configured: to generate at least one playback management object of oneor several multimedia files, said playback management object comprisingat least one playback parameter of multimedia files and, optionally, atleast one identification element, said operating step whereby at leastone playback management object is generated comprising at least anoperating step whereby said at least one playback parameter ofmultimedia files is generated and, optionally, an operating step wherebysaid identification element is generated.
 20. A system for managingfiles in particular multimedia files comprising: at least one device, inparticular a local computer or a mobile device, comprising a localmemory, a remote memory connectable to said at least one device, saidremote memory being configured to store information related to playbackof one or several multimedia files, a software, installed in said atleast one device and/or in a remote processor, the software beingexecuted by the remote processor to: generate at least one playbackmanagement object for managing playback of one or several multimediafiles, said one playback management object comprising at least onemultimedia file playback parameter; generate at least one link betweensaid one playback management object and at least a first multimediafile; and store said at least one playback management object and saidlink in a memory, wherein the multimedia file playback parameter isselected in following list: playback speed, playback frequency, playbackvolume, fade-in of a multimedia file at start of multimedia fileplayback, fade-out of the multimedia file at end of the multimedia fileplayback, inhibition of the multimedia file playback, iteration of themultimedia file playback, playback sequence with respect to the one orseveral multimedia files, controlled playback of a multimedia filefollowing, or preceding, another given multimedia file, controlledplayback for a time fraction not exceeding duration of the multimediafile playback, start of the multimedia file playback at a given portionor instant of the multimedia file, end of the multimedia file playbackat a given portion or instant of the multimedia file; wherein the atleast one link comprises a link object for managing the playback of theone or several multimedia files, each playback management link objectcomprising at least one auxiliary identification element and at leastone auxiliary playback parameter of the multimedia files, operating stepwhereby at least one link between said playback management object andleast a the first multimedia file is generated also comprising anoperating step whereby said link object is generated, an operating stepwhereby at least said auxiliary identification element is generated andan operating step whereby said auxiliary playback parameter ofmultimedia files is generated, update at least one playback counter ofthe one or several multimedia files linked to said playback managementobject, said playback counter being configured to be automaticallyupdated following an integral or partial playback of multimedia fileswithin a semi-random playback sequence, to take account of said playbackhaving been performed, the value assumed by the playback counter beingstored in the remote memory and/or in the device; and transfer of themultimedia files from the remote memory to the local memory of thedevice and/or from the local memory of the device to the remote memorymultimedia files which feature a given value of the playback counter ora given plurality of values of the playback counter, the transfer ofmultimedia files from the local memory of the device to the remotememory optimizing filing space in the device and/or in the remotememory.